Research Areas

Research Interests

The main focus of the Orthopaedic Bioengineering Laboratory is to undertand the biomechanics and biology of the intervertebral disc in both health and disease. A number of research programs in this area include: theoretical and experimental development of material laws for disc tissues; finite element simulations of disc and vertebral body response to in vivo loading; animal models to clarify the mechanisms of disc degeneration and repair; animal models to clarify the relationship between disc degeneration and pain; investigation of novel surgical interventions meant to treat back pain; and tissue engineering of fibro-cartilaginous tissues.